Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket team made a good start in the seven-match Youth ODI series beating Under-19 world champions South Africa by five wickets in the first match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday. Visiting Proteas Youth team batted first after winning the toss and scored 160 for 8 in stipulated 50 overs with lower order Abdu Galiem scoring an unbeaten 38 runs off 61 balls, featuring three boundaries.
One down Tony De Zorzi (35), opener Ryan Rickleton (17), lower order Pater Willem (15) and tail-ender Sean Andre (14) were the other major contributors for the tourists reaching the double figures while another 12 runs of the innings came as extra. Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi, who made his career-best six-wicket haul in the preparation match against the same team, on Wednesday also bowled superbly to grab two wickets for 22 runs in his 10 overs spell with two maidens.
Sanjit Saha also claimed two wickets for 25 runs while Abdul Halim, Mosaddek Hossain, M Saifuddin and Nehaduzzaman took one wicket each.
In reply, Bangladesh Under-19 team, riding on 56 runs in the opening stand by Pinak Ghosh and Saif Hassan, faced no trouble to reach their winning target of 161 runs for the loss of five wickets in 44 overs with 36 balls to spare.
Pinak Ghosh scored 65-ball 39 runs hitting seven fours, Saif Hasan made a patient 18 runs off 53 balls with two fours, one down batsman cum captain Nazmul Hossain Shanta contributed an unconquered 39 runs off 69 balls with four fours while Mosaddek Hossain added 40-ball 27 with four fours. Another 18 runs of the innings came from extras.
Sean Andre was the most successful among the South African bowlers pocketing four wickets for 26 runs and was adjudged the man of the match while Abdu Galiem took the remaining wicket giving away 18 runs.
The Young Tigers will play the 2nd one-day match against the Proteas Youth Team on Friday (Apr 10) at the same venue.
Bangladesh Under-19 team will play the 3rd and 4th one-day matches on April 13 and 15 at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar while the remaining three one-day matches will be held on April 18, 21 and 23 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
Earlier on Monday, Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket team made a good practice beating touring South African Under-19 team by five wickets with 72 balls remaining in the lone preparation match at BKSP ground in Savar.
